Hydraulically operated portable boring drill

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed a vehicle-mounted portable, hydraulically advanced earth boring drill, including a guide track, a movable carriage carried by and movable with respect to the guide track, a piston member mounted on the movable carriage and movable in response to pressure applied thereto, a support housing mounted on the movable carriage and having a drill carried thereon, the piston member being contained within a cylinder in fluid communication with a hydraulic fluid system, a removably engageable vehicle attachment mount carried by the guide track for accommodating the attachment of the apparatus to a vehicle and a counterbalancing support foot mounted on the guide track for counterbalancing the apparatus against the underlying support surface and the vehicle during use.

United States Patent [191 Bolt [ June 18, 1974 HYDRAULICALLY OPERATEDPORTABLE BORING DRILL [75] Inventor: Henry Bolt, Elmhurst, Ill.

[73] Assignee: Inland Equipment Company,

Addison, Ill.

[22] Filed: July 17, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 272,344

[52] US. Cl 173/23, 173/46, 173/152 [51] Int. Cl. E2lc 5/11 [58] Fieldof Search 173/22-28, 173/29, 34, 37, 46; 175/122 [56] References CitedUNlTED STATES PATENTS 2,418,601 4/1947 Richards 173/23 X 2,673,4523/1954 Glaze 173/152 X 3,149,682 9/1964 Dunston 173/22 X PrimaryExaminerErnest R. Purser Attorney, Agent, or Firm--Dominik, Knechtel,Godula & Derneur [57] ABSTRACT There is disclosed a vehicle-mountedportable, hydraulically advanced earth boring drill, including a guidetrack, a movable carriage carried by and mov able with respect to theguide track, a piston member mounted on the movable carriage and movablein response to pressure applied thereto, a support housing mounted onthe movable carriage and having a drill carried thereon, the pistonmember being contained within a cylinder in fluid communication with aby draulic fluid system, a removably engageable vehicle attachment mountcarried by the guide track for accommodating the attachment of theapparatus to a vehicle and a counterbalancing support foot mounted onthe guide track for counterbalancing the apparatus against theunderlying support surface and the vehicle during use.

HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED PORTABLE BORING DRILL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThere are various occasions when it is desirable to drill bore holesinto the earth. For example, various utility lines such as gas pipes,telephone lines, and the like, are buried in the earth and it isfrequently necessary to locate such utility lines in order to avoidmajor damage to the same when other major construction is to becommenced at a given location. Alternatively, it is often desirable todrill into the ground to locate a gas pipeline to-test the pipeline fora suspected gas leak. in still other applications, it is sometimesdesirable to be permitted to drill a bore hole into the earth for thepurpose of testing soil or for possibly anchoring elongated lugs intothe ground.

In many of such instances, the necessary drilling must be done throughhard surfaces, such as pavement, blacktop, rock formations, and thelike. in the past, it has usually been necessary to employ rather largeand heavy duty drilling equipment necessitating heavy duty derrickequipment and several-men crews at the location involved. Such heavyduty equipment is usually cumbersome and often times difficult tomanipulate manually. For example, such equipment usually requiresvarious types of supporting structures in order to hold and guide thedrill during the drilling process. The end result is a structure whichis not very compact and cannot easily be transported from one locationto the other. Furthermore, such drilling equipment usually requiresseveral men to operate and therefore, increases the labor costsassociated with drilling each bore.

Another drawback incident to such type of drilling equipment is the factthat usually, the only pressure available for driving the drill in itshorizontal or vertical drilling movement is the speed of rotation ofthedrill bit and the weight of the drill. Hence, for example, U.S. Pat. No.2,168,522 illustrates a drilling rig which is provided with a drillmounted on a support column by means of a carrier which is attached tothe column with a chain drive. The chain drive merely serves the purposeof raising and lowering the drill, but otherwise the drill must relyupon the speed of rotation of the drill bit and the weight incident tothe carrier and drill for its drilling pressure. It will further benoted that the drilling apparatus represented in the aforementionedpatent is quite cumbersome and large and requires the use of rails inorder to move the drill into location.

Even the attempts to obviate these problems by introducing portabilityand compactness in such an earth boring rig has not met with completesuccess. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,464,655 illustrates another formof concrete boring drill which is shown to be carried by a supportcolumn mounted on a base support for securing the drill in bothhorizontal and vertical alignment during the drilling process. First, itwill be noted that no feeding means is provided for the drill other thanthe speed of rotation of the drill bit and the weight of the drill, andhence, an effective feed mechanism for advancing the drill into theground is not provided. Furthermore, while simplicity and portability issought by the subject device, nevertheless, the device cannot be easilydissassembled and transported from one location to another. In addition,it will be noted that the drill is positioned in virtually free standingrelationship with respect to the guide column and therefore, in theevent the drill encounters any difficulty during the drilling process,either drill bits will be broken, or the drill could jump slightlywhereby a perfectly cylindrical core would not be obtained.

Other prior art devices have attempted to incorporate a feedingmechanism in order to pressure feed the drill during the drillingprocess to facilitate the coreing operation. For example, U.S. Pat. No.2,023,027 shows a drill rig which is provided with a drill having ascrew type feed mechanism to advance the drill during the drillingprocess. However, the fact that the feed mechanism is incorporated as apart of the drill, necessarily results in a drill which is rather largeand cumbersome, and as evidenced in the U.S. Pat. No. 2,023,027, thedevice is not compact, nor is it easily transportable from one locationto the other. It will be noted that the device requires a series ofsupports and mounts and furthermore, a platform must be constructed inorder to support the entire drill rig at the desired location. Clearly,it would require more than one workman to set up such equipment and tooperate the same.

Another attempt shown in the prior art for incorporating a feedmechanism into a drill shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,288,54l. The structureshown in this patent incorporates a hydraulic feed mechanism which isbuilt into the drill. The hydraulic feed mechanism operates to advancethe drill during the drilling process, thereby to render the drillingprocess more efficient and hence less costly. However, it will be notedthat the drill rig as illustrated in this patent, comprises a rathercomplicated piece of machinery and hence, in the event of any breakage,obviously quite expensive repairs would be necessary. In addition, thedrill mechanism itself is quite large and therefore, quite heavy, andundoubtedly, would require more than a single man to operate. Inaddition, various types of support mechanisms must be provided in orderto maintain the drill in position during the drilling process and hence,additional man hours are necessary for the setting up and tearing downof such a drill rig.

Where attempts have been made at portability, portability in this artfield generally involves derrick type trucks or other such other heavyduty equipment for transporting the drill rig from one location to theother. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,766,l 14 shows a portablehydraulically operated drill rig which is portable only insofar as thatit is mounted on a truck derrick. Clearly, such a device is not compact,whereby it can be operated by a single individual. Furthermore, thecomplete structure requires various parts and mechanisms which, ifdamaged, require expensive repairs and a great deal of down time interms of unused equipment. Various other types of drills and drill rigapparatus are shown in the art, however, none of such drill rigs orapparatus has achieved a great degree of portability and compactnesswhile at the same time incorporating an efficient feed mechanism foradvancing the drill into hard surfaces, such as concrete, pavement,blacktop, rocky surfaces and sub surfaces and the like. in addition, itis desirable to provide a mechanism for assembly which minimizesexpensive components and is easily and readily repaired when damageoccurs.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES It is therefore the principal object of thisinvention to provide a compact and portable earth boring drill assemblywhich eliminates expensive component parts while at the same. timeproviding a relatively lightweight and easily operable unit while at thesame time providing an efficient earth boring drill.

Another object of this invention is a portable earth boring drillassembly which is removably mountable upon any vehicle and may beoperated by a single workman.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a portable andcompact earth boring drill assembly which may be removably mounted on avehicle in stabilized relationship with respect to the surface to bedrilled which also incorporates therein hydraulic feed means foradvancing the drill during the boring process whereby the boring processis rendered more efficient and at the same time still only requiring thepresence of a single workman.

A further object of this invention is to provide a vehicle supportedportable boring apparatus for pressure drilling bores, including a guidetrack, a movable carriage, carried by and movable with respect to theguide track, pressure sensitive means associated with the movablecarriage for moving the carriage in response to pressure applied againstthe pressure sensitive means, a support housing mounted on the movablecarriage having drill means associated therewith, the support housingand drill means being movable with response to the movement of thecarriage, pressure means associated with the apparatus for providingpressure to the pressure sensitive means thereby to cause movement ofthe carriage, a power source associated with and in electricalcommunication with the apparatus for providing electrical energy to theapparatus, removably engageable vehicle attachment means mounted on theguide track for accommodating the attachment of the apparatus to avehicle, and counterbalancing means mounted on the guide track forcounterbalancing the apparatus as between the vehicle upon which it ismounted and the underlying surface to be drilled, such that theapparatus may be removably attached to a vehicle via the attachmentmeans and firmly held in position by the counterbalancing means, whilepermitting a single workman to apply pressure to the pressure sensitivemeans to cause movement of the movable carriage which in turn causes aconcomitant movement of the support housing and the drill means, thedrill means then being permitted to drill an appropriate bore whenelectrical energy is supplied thereto from the power source.

In connection with the foregoing object, it is another object to providea portable earth boring drill assembly of the type described, whereinthe pressure sensitive means comprises a piston member mounted on themovable carriage for moving the carriage in response to the pressuremeans, and wherein the pressure means comprises a hydraulic fluid systemwhich operates against the piston member to cause a concomitant movementof the movable carriage which in turn advances the drill carried on themovable carriage during the boring process.

A further object of this invention, in connection with the foregoingobjects, is to provide a portable earth boring drill assembly of thetype described, wherein the vehicle attachment means comprises anarcuate bumper mount whereby the drill apparatus may be mounted to avehicle bumper, thereby to provide an easily transportable and easilymountable earth boring apparatus such that the apparatus may be easilymounted and operated by a single workman.

In connection with the foregoing object, it is another object to providean earth boring drilling apparatus of the type described wherein thecounterbalancing means comprises a ratchet driven rod having a supportfoot mounted thereon at its free end and whereby the support foot may beratchet driven into a tensioned counterbalancing posture against theunderlying surface to be drilled and tensioned against the weight of thevehicle supporting the apparatus.

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular arrangementof the elements and parts whereby the above-outlined and additionaloperating features thereof are attained.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation,together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best beunderstood by reference to the following specificaiton, taken inconnection with the accompaning drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational perspective view showing the earth boringdrill assembly of the present invention as mounted on a vehicle and inits drilling posture;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational cross-sectional view showing the details ofconstruction of the guide track, movable carriage, support housing,drill means and hydraulic system comprising the total assembly;

FIG. 3 is a top cross-sectional view showing the relationship betweenthe guide track and movable carriage taken in the direction of thearrows along the line 33 of FIG. 2; and,

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view showing the power and hydraulic centerassociated with the drilling apparatus for providing the hydraulic fluidand electrical power to the apparatus.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, theportable earth boring drill assembly is generally referred to by thenumeral 10. The drill assembly 10 generally consists of a guided track12 which is substantially U-shaped as shown in cross-section in FIG. 3,having a back wall 13, opposed side walls 14 and 15, extending outwardlyfrom the back wall 13, the outer ends of the opposed side walls 14 and15 terminating in inturned flanges 16 and 17 respectively, therebyforming an open track therebetween. As will be noted in FIG. 3, theinterior surfaces of the side walls 14 and 15 are bevelled slightlyoutwardly from rear to forward with respect to the back wall 13, therebyto provide sufficient air space to permit ease of movement of themovable carriages will be described more fully hereinafter.

As will be noted from FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the guide track 12is elongated in configuration and is sized so as to accommodate withinthe confines bounded by the back wall 13 and the side walls 14 and 15thereof, a movable carriage 20. The movable carriage is similarlyU-shaped in configuration having a back wall 21 and side walls 22 and 23respectively. The movable carriage 20 is similarly elongated inconfiguration and is so sized as to be accommodated within the opentrack formed by the side walls 14 and 15 and inturned flanges 16 and 17.It will further be noted that the side walls 22 and 23 of the movablecarriage 20 terminate in front edges 24 and 25 respectively, which bumpup against the interior surfaces of the inturned flanges 16 and 17. Themovable carriage 20 is so sized as to be movable within the guide track12, along the vertical axis thereof. Hence, the overall dimensions ofthe movable carriage measured from the front edges 24 and 25 of the sidewalls 22 and 23 to the rear of the back wall 21 is slightly less thanthe distances between the interior surfaces of the inturned flanges 16and 17, and the interior surface of the back wall 13 of the guide track12.

The movable carriage 20 includes a pair of support plates 28, which aremounted thereon, by means of a weldment 29, the support plate carrying asupport housing generally referred to by the numeral 30. The supporthousing is formed by a back wall 31, opposed side walls 32, a bottomwall 33 and a top wall 34. Each of the back walls 31, side walls 32,bottom wall 33 and top wall 34 are secured together by appropriateweldment as more particularly shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings. Inaddition the support housing 30 is provided with a drill carrier plate35, which functions to support the drill in the manner described hereinbelow.

It will be noted that the bottom wall 33 is provided with an enlargedaperture 36 which accommodates the forward end of the drill 80,therethrough, and hence, permits the drill bit 81 to extend outwardlyand downwardly from the bottom wall 33 of the support housing 30. Mostof the commercially available hand type drills, such as drill 81 areprovided with a hand grip 82, adjacent the rear portion thereof, as wellas the usual gun type hand grip 83 which carries the activating switch84. The drill carrier plate 35 is designed to slide within the hand grip82 of the drill 80, whereby the drill 80 is mounted and accommodated onthe support housing 30, via the drill carrier plate 35 and the aperture36 in the bottom plate 33. The top wall 34 is provided with an aperture37 which accommodates therethrough a slip bolt 38, which secures thedrill 80 in position when mounted in the support housing 30. It will benoted that the slip-bolt 38 slips in front of the hand grip 82 andhence, prevents the drill 80 from becoming disengaged from the supporthousing 30.

It will be apparent from the above description that since the supporthousing 30 is carried by the movable carriage 20, via the support plates28, movement of the movable carriage 20 will cause the concomitantmovement of the support housing 30 and the drill 30 which is carriedthereby along the vertical axis of the guide track 12. Hence, as themovable carriage 20 is forced into a downward path of travel by thehydraulic system, which will be described hereinafter, the drill 80 isforced downwardly forcing the drill bit 81 downwardly into the ground.

The guide track 12 is provided with an attachment plate 40 adjacent thetop portion thereof, the attachment plate 40 providing a point ofattachment for carrying the cylinder 45. As shown in FIG. 2 of thedrawings, the cylinder is provided with a pair of attachment ears 46,thereby permitting the cylinder 45 to be bolted to the attachment plate40, and firmly held in position. The lower end of the cylinder 45 issimilarly attached to the guide track 12 so that the cylinder 45 isfirmly held in position between the attachment plate 40 adjacent the topportion and a similar attachment arrangement adjacent its lower end.

The internal portion of the cylinder 45' is provided with a piston 47,the piston 47 having a piston head 49, at its top end, the piston head49 having an O ring 50, thereby to provide a fluid tight seal of thepiston 47 within the cylinder 45. As shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings,the movable carriage 20 is provided with a piston carrier rod 26 and itwill be noted that the lower end of the piston 47 is mounted on thepiston carrier rod 26 in fixed relationship. Any suitable mounting meansmay be utilized such as a bolt or a press-fit. The piston carrier rod 26is mounted to the movable carriage 20 by means of a weldment, and hence,movement of the piston 47 in either an upward or downward path of travelwill cause a concomitant movement of the movable carriage 20 and inturn, movement of the support housing 30 with the drill 80 mountedthereon.

The cylinder 45 is, of course, a closed cylinder and is therefore fluidtight. Hence, by providing hydraulic fluid either above or below thepiston head 49 of the piston 47, the piston 47 will be caused to moveeither upwardly or downwardly respectively.

The details of construction relating to the hydraulic system are shownin FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings. Adjacent the top portion of the guidetrack 12 is mounted a U-shaped valve support 55. A control valve 57 iscarried on the valve support and permanently mounted thereon by means ofa weldment or other suitable mounting means. The control valve 57 isprovided with a handle 59, which permits the operator to select the flowpath desired, depending upon whether the piston 47 is to be movedupwardly or downwardly. A hydraulic supply line 60, extends from ahydraulic fluid source such as is shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings, andthe opposed end thereof is connected to a control valve 57, by means ofa fluid line connector 62. A hydraulic exhaust line 64 is also providedand extends from the hydraulic fluid source and is connected to thecontrol valve 57 via a fluid connector 66. Hence, hydraulic fluid may besupplied to the interior portion of the cylinder 45 through the supplyline and may be exhausted there from via the exhaust line 64.

An upper feed line 67 is provided which is connected to the controlvalve 57 via a fluid connector 68 at its one end and is connected at itsother end to the upper portion of the cylinder 45 via another fluidconnector 69. The upper feed line 67 is provided to permit hydraulicfluid to be fed into the upper portion of the cylinder 45 above thepiston head 49 of the piston 47. Similarly, a lower feed line 70 isconnected at its one end to the control valve 57 via fluid connector 71,and at its other end is connected to the lower end of the cylinder 45via another fluid connector 72. Of course, the interior portion of thecontrol valve 57 is well known in the art and manipulating the handle59, the desired fluid flow path may be selected so that fluid will floweither through the supply line 60, exhaust line 64, upper feed line 67,or lower feed line 70. For example, where it is desired to supply afluid under pressure to the upper portion of the cylinder 45 above thepiston head 49 of the piston 47, the appropriate fluid flow path isselected by moving the handle 59 of the control valve 57 to the properposition, which will then cause the fluid to flow through the supplyline 60, into the control valve 57, and into the upper feed line 67. Asthe fluid under pressure is supplied to the cylinder 45 above the pistonhead 49 of the piston 47, the piston 47 will be forced downwardly. Sincethe lower end of the piston 47 is permanently secured to the pistoncarrier rod 26, and hence, the movable carriage 20, the movable carriage20 will move downwardly and carry with it the support housing 30, withthe drill mounted thereon. Alternatively, should one desire to move thepiston 37 in a vertically upward direction, the appropriate fluid flowpath is selected by manipulating the handle 59 of the control valve 57,such that fluid is supplied via the supply line 60 through the controlvalve 57 and into the lower feed line 70. Fluid will then be supplied tothe under-portion of the piston head 49 and force the piston 47 in anupward direction. During the upward travel of the piston 47, obviouslyany fluid existing above the piston head 49 will be forced out of thecylinder 45 through the upper feed line 67 and through the control valve57 and out of the system via the exhaust line 64.

It will now become apparent that once the drill 80 has been mounted onthe support housing 30, and the drill 80 plugged into a power source100, the operator of the drilling unit may open the hydraulic lines bymanipulating the handle 59 of the control valve 57 with one hand whilethe drill switch 84 is manipulated with the operators other hand,thereby starting the drilling process and the hydraulic system operatingto force the drill in a downward path of travel such that the drill bit81 is forced into a boring posture with respect to the ground. It iscontemplated that snap-on type drill bits 81 are utilized in connectionwith the subject invention such that series of drill bits may be snappedtogether in order to bore deeper holes into the ground.

In the preferred embodiment, the piston 47 has a stroke of approximately30 inches, so that with each downward movement of the drill, an overallpath of travel of 30 inches will be travelled by the drill before theoperator need snap on another drill bit 81, raise the support housing toits upper posture, and continue drilling downwardly. This process may berepeated as many times as is necessary in order to drill to the desireddepth.

In FIG. 1 of the drawings, the vehicle attachment means is more clearlyillustrated. It will be observed that the rear surface of the back wall13 of the guide track 12 is provided with a rod carrier plate 75 whichis mounted thereon by means of weldments 76. The rod carrier plate 75carries the tensioning rod tube 85 as is more particularly shown in FIG.2 of the drawings. The tensioning rod tube 85 accommodates a ratchetdriven tensioning rod 87 thereon, the lower end of the tensioning rod 87terminating in a support foot 89 which is designed to flt flushlyagainst the underlying support surface, such as the ground. The upperend of the tensioning rod tube 85 is provided with a tensioning ratchet90 which is operated by means of a handle 91 such that a repeatedrotation of the handle 91 in a ratchet movement will cause thetensioning rod 87 to be moved downwardly until the support foot 89 comesinto tensioned contact with the ground.

The back surface of the tensioning rod tube 85 has a vehicle mountcarrier plate 92, mounted thereon by means of a weldment or othersuitable mounting means, the vehicle mount carrier plate 92 having anarcuate vehicle bumper mount 94 mounted thereon by means of appropriateweldments, or other similar permanent mounting means. The arcuate bumpermount 94 is designed in the same style as the common ordinary car bumperjack and hence, is designed to mount to a vehicle bumper as shown inFIG. 1 of the drawings.

In order for the operator to mount the drill assembly to a vehicle, thearcuate vehicle bumper mount 94 is positioned about a vehicle bumperafter which the operator rotates the handle 91 of the tensioning ratchetwith a ratchet movement in order to drive the tensioning rod 87downwardly until the support foot 89 is firmly tensioned against theground. It will therefore be appreciated that the drill assembly 10 iscounterbalanced as between the weight of the vehicle which tends toforce the drill assembly in a downward direction while the tensioningrod 87 and support foot 89 tend to push the drill assembly 10 in anupward direction. Hence this counterbalancing affect results in greatstability of the drill assembly 10 when mounted on a vehicle prior tocommencing the drilling operation.

Once the drill assembly 10 has been mounted on the vehicle as indicatedabove, the operator may then commence the operation of the drillassembly 10 by mounting the drill 80 in position on the support housing30 and attaching the first length of drill bit 81. Once the drill 80 hasbeen mounted and properly connected to the power source 100, theoperator may then open the hydraulic control valve 57 by manipulatingthe handle 59 to obtain the desired flow path of fluid within theappropriate feed lines. Hence, to move the support housing with thedrill 80 mounted thereon downwardly, the handle 59 is moved to theposition to permit fluid under pressure to enter into the control valve57 through the supply line 60, and from there through the feed line 67into the cylinder 45 above the piston head 49. The pressure of the fluidwill therefore move the piston 47 in a downward direction which causesthe concomitant movement of the movable carriage in a downwarddirection, and hence, the support housing 30 and drill 80 which ismounted thereon. In this manner, it is clear that it is not necessaryfor the operator to apply any pressure to the drill assembly 10 duringthe drilling operation. Once the complete stroke of the piston 47 hasbeen reached, the operator may turn off the electrical power, snap onanother drill bit 81, recycle the support housing in an upward directionby supply fluid under pressure to the undersurface of the piston head49, causing the piston 47 to rise and therefore, commence anotherdownward cycle of the piston 47.

The power source and the supply source for the hydraulic fluid or otherfluid under pressure is preferably carried in a control box 105, whichmay be mounted on the vehicle which is utilized in connection withcarrying out the drilling operation. Due to the size and compactness ofthe drilling assembly 10, provided by virtue of this invention, it isapparent that when the unit is disassembled and stored in the vehicle, aminimum of storage space is consumed and in fact, the set up and takedown of the drill assembly 10 may be accomplished by a single operator.As has been pointed out above, not only may the unit be set up and takendown by a single operator but the unit may be completely operated by asingle operator.

As mentioned above, the interior surfaces of the side walls 14 and 15are bevelled outwardly from rear to forward with respect to the backwall 13. In this manner, air spaces are provided as between the sidewalls 22 and 23 of the movable carriage 20, and the side walls 14 and 15of the guide track 12. This construction minimizes frictional contact asbetween the opposed side walls and thereby permits ease of movement asbetween the movable carriage 20 and guide track 12. In addition, the airspaces permit an air cooling affect as the movable carriage is pressuredriven during the drilling operation.

It will therefore be appreciated that by virtue of the present inventiona very compact and easily transportable earth boring drill assembly hasbeen provided which, at the same time, is provided with pressure feedmeans associated therewith for driving the drill during the drillingprocess. In addition, the assembly of the present invention utilizedfairly inexpensive component parts and is designed to accommodate thestandard type portable industrial drills which are presently available.ln this connection, it will be appreicated that in the event the drillshould break down, the operator may easily replace the drill by merelyremoving the slip bolt 38, and removing the drill 80 to effectreplacement thereof. Similarly, if leaks should develop in the hydraulicsystem, such as leaks in the fluid connector they may be easily repairedby simply replacing the fluid connectors at any point where same areleaking. In most instances, su'ch repairs and replacements may beeffected at the scene of the drilling operation, such that there is aminimum of down time when repairs are necessitated. In addition, thedrilling assembly of the present invention permits a reduction in termsof the cost of labor, since equipment may be set-up and completelyoperated and then taken down by a single operator. Another advantageachieved by virtue of the drill assembly of the present invention is thefact that the operator may change drills at the drilling location, whereit is determined that a higher horsepower drill is necessary. Forexample, should the operator be confronted with drilling through asubstrate which is of much greater strength than originally anticipated,the operator may easily remove one drill and replace same with a higherhorsepower to accomplish the desired drilling.

It is therefore appreciated that all of the above objects and advantageshave been accomplished by means of the drill assembly described herein.

While there has been'described what at present is considered to be thepreferred embodiments of the invention, it will be understood thatvarious modifications may be made therein and it is intended to cover inthe appended claims all such modifications as fall within the truespirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A vehicle supported portable boring apparatus for pressure drillingbores comprising, in combination,

a guide track,

a movable carriage carried by and movable with respect to said guidetrack,

a cylinder mounted on said guide track,

a piston member carried within said cylinder having an upper free endand a lower end mounted on said movable carriage, said piston memberbeing in fluid tight sealing relation with respect to said cylinder,

a pressurized fluid system connected to said cylinder at its upper andlower ends whereby fluid under pressure may be introduced into saidcylinder alternatively at its upper and lower ends, thereby to causealternate upward and downward movement of said piston member within saidcylinder,

flow control valve means associated with said pressurized fluid systemfor controlling the direction of fluid flow within said pressurizedfluid system,

a power source associated with and in electrical communication with saidapparatus for providing electrical energy to said apparatus,

a bumper mount carried by said guide track to permit the removableengagement of said apparatus to a vehicle bumper,

and a movable support foot mounted on said guide track forcounterbalancing said apparatus as between the vehicle upon which saidapparatus is mounted and an underlying support surface,

whereby said apparatus may be removably attached to a vehicle via saidbumper mount and firmly held in position by said support foot, andpressure applied to said piston member from said pressurized fluidsystem thereby to cause movement of said piston within said cylinder,and cause a concomitant movement of said movable carriage which, inturn, will cause a movement of said support housing and said drill meansto effect the drilling operation.

2. The boring apparatus as set forth in claim 1 above, wherein saidmovable carriage comprises a movable channel positioned within andmovable with respect to said guide track, a pair of support platesmounted on said movable channel and extending outwardly from said guidetrack,

a drill carriage housing fixedly mounted on said support plates,

a drill removably mounted on said drill carriage housing, said drillprovided with at least one rotary boring bit,

whereby said drill may be removably mounted on said drill carriage.

3. The boring apparatus as set forth in claim 2 above,

which further includes lock means associated with said drill carriagefor locking said drill in position when mounted on said drill carriage.

1. A vehicle supported portable boring apparatus for pressure drillingbores comprising, in combination, a guide track, a movable carriagecarried by and movable with respect to said guide track, a cylindermounted on said guide track, a piston member carried within saidcylinder having an upper free end and a lower end mounted on saidmovable carriage, said piston member being in fluid tight sealingrelation with respect to said cylinder, a pressurized fluid systemconNected to said cylinder at its upper and lower ends whereby fluidunder pressure may be introduced into said cylinder alternatively at itsupper and lower ends, thereby to cause alternate upward and downwardmovement of said piston member within said cylinder, flow control valvemeans associated with said pressurized fluid system for controlling thedirection of fluid flow within said pressurized fluid system, a powersource associated with and in electrical communication with saidapparatus for providing electrical energy to said apparatus, a bumpermount carried by said guide track to permit the removable engagement ofsaid apparatus to a vehicle bumper, and a movable support foot mountedon said guide track for counterbalancing said apparatus as between thevehicle upon which said apparatus is mounted and an underlying supportsurface, whereby said apparatus may be removably attached to a vehiclevia said bumper mount and firmly held in position by said support foot,and pressure applied to said piston member from said pressurized fluidsystem thereby to cause movement of said piston within said cylinder,and cause a concomitant movement of said movable carriage which, inturn, will cause a movement of said support housing and said drill meansto effect the drilling operation.
 2. The boring apparatus as set forthin claim 1 above, wherein said movable carriage comprises a movablechannel positioned within and movable with respect to said guide track,a pair of support plates mounted on said movable channel and extendingoutwardly from said guide track, a drill carriage housing fixedlymounted on said support plates, a drill removably mounted on said drillcarriage housing, said drill provided with at least one rotary boringbit, whereby said drill may be removably mounted on said drill carriage.3. The boring apparatus as set forth in claim 2 above, which furtherincludes lock means associated with said drill carriage for locking saiddrill in position when mounted on said drill carriage.